Zoe Ball quits BBC Radio 2 and says 'it’s time for me to step away'

Zoe Ball has decided to step down as presenter of the weekday Radio 2 Breakfast Show. She will remain on the station, more to be announced soon, the broadcasting giant has today (Tuesday November 19) confirmed to listeners.

Channel 4 Celebrity Gogglebox star Ball first joined BBC Radio in October 1997 as the co-host of the Radio 1 Breakfast Show with co-presenter Kevin Greening. From October 1998 to March 2000, the presenter hosted the programme solo, the first woman to do so.

Zoe said: “After six incredible years on the Radio 2 Breakfast Show, it’s time for me to step away from the very early mornings and focus on family. It’s been a privilege. I think the world of you listeners and I’m grateful to my bosses here for their support, especially this year.

READ MORE 29 parts of England set for snow on Tuesday and Wednesday according to Met Office

"Huge thanks go to my awesome team on the show, Tina, Mike and Richie, and of course our listeners, with whom I’ve shared some of life’s highs and lows, the good, the bad and the daft times. My last show will be on Friday December 20, just in time for Christmas with plenty of fun and shenanigans.

"While I’m stepping away from the Breakfast Show, I’m not disappearing entirely – I’ll still be a part of the Radio 2 family, with more news in the New Year. I’m excited to embrace my next chapter, including being a mum in the mornings, and I can’t wait to tune in on the school run!”

Helen Thomas, Head of Radio 2 says: "Zoe has woken up the nation on Radio 2 with incredible warmth, wit and so much joy since January 2019, and I’d like to thank her for approaching each show with as much vim and vigour as if it were her first. I’m thrilled that that she'll remain an important part of the Radio 2 family."

The new presenter of the Radio 2 Breakfast Show will be announced on today’s show, before 9.30am.